175 acres in Detroit could be used to grow timber

DETROIT (AP) — A company that wants to put vacant Detroit land to use for agriculture could get about 175 acres of land to grow and harvest timber.

Karla Henderson is Mayor Dave Bing’s group executive for planning and facilities. She tells the Detroit Free Press for a Thursday story that the city is close to an agreement to sell the mostly vacant residential lots on the city’s east side to Hantz Farms for about $600,000.

Henderson says Bing hopes to present a plan to City Council for consideration this summer. The land totals about a quarter square mile in size.

Hantz Farms President Mike Score says tree planting is allowed under the city’s zoning code. It earlier acquired 3 acres of land that’s been planted with trees.